The Shocking Dr. Webster (part 1 and part 2). A doctor who electrocuted corpses, a mysterious disappearance, and remains found in a furnace combine into a fascinating 19th-century science-related murder mystery, told skillfully by Romeo at Providentia.

1901 — the year the nuclear atom was “invented”! Who really discovered, or more accurately, first conceived of, the concept of a planetary atom? Right here at Skulls in the Stars, I explain how the answer is more complicated than typically imagined.

Grave Matters: The Body-Snatchers Unearthed.In the late 18th century and early 19th, “body-snatching” was a common occurrence, as medical students needed bodies to study. The Chirurgeon’s Apprentice takes a look at the practices of the snatchers, and the precautions taken against them.

A lyrical interlude. We’ve seen a lot of history so far — time for an intermission! Caroline Rance at The Quack Doctor presents a song from an 1886 book of tunes by medical club members.

Nash’s beautiful mind pre-empted million-dollar puzzle. Turns out that the mathematician John Nash was even smarter than we realized! Recently declassified letters between the NSA and Nash suggest he was years ahead of anyone else in thinking about cryptography; New Scientist explains.

The first-ever English language retraction (1756)? Papers get retracted from scientific journals these days with some regularity for a variety of reasons, such as discovered errors in methodology and even fraud. At Retraction Watch, Ivan Oransky notes that retractions go back quite a long time, and notes what may be the first English-language paper retraction!

Newton’s apple tree. We all know the story — an apple falling on Newton’s head inspired him to develop the theory of gravity. Well, the story is likely apocryphal, but there was an apple tree at Newton’s birthplace. At the Royal Society’s History of Science Centre’s Blog, Keith Moore discusses the tree and its descendants.

Augustin-Jean Fresnel’s early years. In another post right here as Skulls in the Stars, I give an example of genius that manifested itself in an unusual way: the optical scientist Fresnel could hardly read at an advanced age, but demonstrated a rather hilarious mechanical knack!

Darwin: Geologist First and Last. You may be tempted to think of Darwin as a biologist, but Dana Hunter at En Tequila Es Verdad argues that Darwin was as much a geologist, and that background was crucial to his Origin of Species!

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The author of Skulls in the Stars is an associate professor of physics, specializing in optical science, at UNC Charlotte. The blog covers topics in physics and optics, the history of science, classic pulp fantasy and horror fiction, and the surprising intersections between these areas.